Intercultural Dialogue of Silver Sage Foundation Hosts Inspiring Annual Iftar Dinner

Las Vegas, NV – March 21, 2025

On a beautiful evening filled with warmth and togetherness, Intercultural Dialog hosted its much-anticipated Annual Iftar Dinner, bringing together a diverse gathering of faith leaders, community members, and distinguished guests. The event served as a powerful testament to the values of dialogue, understanding, and building bridges across cultures and beliefs.

An Evening of Gratitude and Togetherness

The night began with heartfelt appreciation for the incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare the evening’s meal while fasting—a true act of generosity and devotion. Special thanks were also extended to the dedicated community members who decorated the venue and ensured that every detail of the event reflected the spirit of hospitality.

A particularly spiritual and moving moment came when an executive member of Silver Sage Intercultural Dialogue, beautifully recited the Adhan (call to prayer), marking the time to break the fast. As the call to prayer marked the moment to break the fast, attendees shared a delicious meal, symbolizing the essence of Ramadan—gratitude, patience, and selfless giving.

Inspiring Keynote & Meaningful Conversations

The evening featured a thought-provoking keynote address by Professor David Fott, who shared insights on the power of human connection and the role of interfaith dialogue in fostering peace. His words resonated deeply, reminding us that “understanding begins with conversation, and peace begins with listening.”

As the evening ended, final remarks from Dr. Christie Batson, Ms. Allyson Egbert, and Mr. Anar Mehraliyev all, in an unplanned yet deeply moving way, centered on the importance of rebuilding neighborly relationships. Dr. Batson fondly recalled how, in her childhood, her mother would send her to a neighbor’s house to borrow sugar or salt—an experience that today feels almost lost. Ms. Allyson emphasized the simple yet powerful act of knocking on a neighbor’s door, highlighting how small gestures can create lasting friendships. Anar Mehraliyev, in his closing remarks, shared a deeply moving true story from the Hizmet Movement, about a teacher who persisted in building bridges in a divided community.

At first, neighbors of different faiths kept their distance, hesitant and even unwilling to engage. But the teacher never gave up. He continued knocking on doors, reaching out, and slowly, hearts and minds began to change. One day, a local priest told him, “We were taught all our lives to stay away from each other. But now, I see that there is no difference between us.”

A Night to Remember

The Annual Iftar Dinner was not just an event, it was an experience of love, unity, and mutual respect. It reinforced the belief that through shared meals, open conversations, and genuine compassion, we build bridges that strengthen our communities.

As the night drew to a close, one sentiment remained:

“Keep knocking. Keep connecting. Because behind every door is the possibility of a new friendship.”

 May the spirit of Ramadan continue to inspire us all throughout the year!